Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Japanese Medium Tank

Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Japanese Medium Tank

S$232.50

Type 97 Chi-Ha Shinhoto Background Information:

The Type 97 Chi-Ha was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. As designed in 1936, the Type 97 was originally armed with a 57mm low-velocity gun designed for infantry support. In the aftermath of the Japanese defeat by the Soviet Union at Khalkhin Gol in 1939, a more powerful 47mm anti-tank gun was developed, copied from the successful Soviet 45mm design. This new gun was used in the "Shinhoto" ("new turret") Chi-Ha and was produced from 1939-1941. The Type 97 was used with great success by the Japanese in their dramatic sweep of the western Pacific in 1941-42 and were particularly effective on the Malay and Philippines campaigns.

When the tides of war shifted, the Japanese were put on a defensive posture, and the remaining Type 97 tanks were dispersed across Japan's vast island empire. The upgunned Shinhoto was proven to be effective against the American's M3 Stuart light tank, but was largely ineffective aginst the M4 Sherman. With little room for manuever on the island outposts in the Pacific, many Type 97s ended their days as static pill-boxes, buried up to their turrets with rock and soil. When the Japanese did mass their tanks for a counterattack, they were grossly outnumbered by their opposition in terms of tanks and firepower, and the results were an honorable but ineffective sacrifice for the emporor.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

Brickmania originally released a Type 97 kit more than five years ago. We only made fifty the first time around and they sold out in a short tme. The new version is completely redesigned from the Brickmania Track Links on upto the custom pad-printed minifigure. The model is true to scale on all details, is in proper Pacific Theater camouflage and is sturdy enough for reasonably active play.

The Type 97 Chi-Ha Shinhoto kit has the following features:

Fully rotating turret with elevating main gun assembly

Opening commander's hatch on the turret

Full articulated treads built with dark brown Brickania's Track Links™

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes Brickmania Track Links and compatible accessories by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled, includes complete full color printed building instructions, a signed certificate of authenticity and comes packaged in a sealed box.